Information about Outstanding Graduate Student Awards

  • Outstanding Master’s Student Award
  • Jean A. and David A. Webb Outstanding Professional Master’s Degree Student Award
  • Edith M. Patch Outstanding Ph.D. Student Award
  • Outstanding Service Award

Graduate students in the College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture are invited to apply for the four awards listed above. For information on selection criteria for each award, see full description below.

Complete applications for these awards should be submitted as one PDF file to um.nsfaresearch@maine.edu by 4:30 PM on the due date. Late applications will not be accepted, and it is the responsibility of applicants to ensure that all required materials are submitted by the deadline.

The Graduate Student Awards Committee will select award recipients based on application materials and selection criteria outlined in the attached award descriptions. The committee will only consider achievements during each applicant’s relevant program of study at the University of Maine.

Award Descriptions

Edith M. Patch Outstanding Ph.D. Student Award and Outstanding Master’s Degree Student Award were established in 2008 to recognize outstanding graduate students at the master’s and Ph.D. levels who have distinguished themselves in multiple ways.

  • Eligibility: Student in a NSFA graduate program. Applicants for the master’s and Ph.D. awards must be matriculated in those respective programs in December of the academic year they apply for these awards.
  • Selection criteria: (1) research and scholarly activity, (2) teaching, (3) professional activity, (4) university and public service, and (5) academic performance during the applicant’s current program of study. Note any activities related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Activity in all of the above areas is not required for these awards. The competition, however, is typically keen, and award recipients excel in several categories.

Jean A. and David A. Webb Outstanding Professional Master’s Degree Student Award was established in 2014 to recognize outstanding graduate students in nonthesis masters programs who have distinguished themselves in multiple ways.

  • Eligibility: Students in NSFA graduate programs. Applicants for this award must be matriculated in their nonthesis master’s program in the December prior to the award competition.
  • Selection Criteria: (1) academic performance, (2) professional development and professionalism, (3) leadership, (4) university service, and (5) public service during and directly associated with the applicant’s current program of study. Note any activities related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Outstanding Service Award was established in 2008 to recognize graduate students with a distinguished record of service to the university in the form of teaching and/or other university and professional service.

  • Eligibility: Student in a NSFA graduate program. Applicants must have a student status in December of the academic year they apply for awards.
  • Selection criteria: (1) teaching accomplishments and quality, (2) service contributions to the university, (3) contributions to profession, and (4) public service activities during the applicant’s current program of study. Note any activities related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Activity in both teaching and other service is not required for this award.

Application Requirements

Applications require the following:

  1. Completed applicant data form.
  2. Complete (official or unofficial) transcripts of the applicant’s UM graduate course work.
  3. A statement of two pages or less by the applicant highlighting his/her accomplishments and activities as related to the award selection criteria.
  4. A letter of nomination/recommendation from the applicant’s graduate advisor, department chair, school director, or graduate program coordinator. A maximum of two additional letters of support may be submitted.
  5. Submit as one PDF file with your last name, followed by a period, and then the award name. (e.g. SMITH.PATCH.pdf)

Application Materials